An Augustinian Charism endures in our Diocese
Just before dawn last Friday, Kyabram parishioner Alma Limbrick watched her television intently – her eyes glued on ‘the’ balcony. As the new Pope stepped into view, a flicker of recognition stirred. I know that face, she thought, trying to place him. Then, her phone buzzed – a text from a fellow parishioner, “It’s him!”
Alma first met Fr Robert Prevost OSA at an Augustinian conference for the laity. “He was a very gentle and inspirational and authentic man,” she remembers.
She met him again in December 2005 when, as Prior General of the Augustinians, he celebrated Mass at St Augustine’s Church in Kyabram, weeks before the Augustinians were to leave Kyabram after 103 years of ministering in the area.
“I’ve been fortunate to be educated and challenged by the Augustinians and Brigidines, and I’m very proud that an Augustinian is now our Pope,” she said. “The Augustinians were good listeners, and their encouragement spurred me on to study and serve in the parish."
“The Augustinians talked a lot about synodality – but we didn’t call it that, back then,” said Alma. The Augustinian focus on community can be summed up as – one in mind and heart, intent upon God. For Augustinians, the Eucharistic Rite extends beyond the transformation of bread and wine into the body of Christ and includes all of us being transformed into one body, living our lives as conduits of God’s love for all people.
At the farewell dinner for the Augustinian Order in January 2006, parishioner Maureen Atkins spoke on behalf of the Kyabram community: “For many years, the Augustinians have focused on the importance of collaboration in ministry, and so we have been frequently challenged to accept our baptismal responsibility, and we know we can move forward with confidence,” she said.
We know from testimonies in our news feed that Pope Leo XIV will bring the heart of an Augustinian to the papacy with a love for community, a thirst for truth, and a shepherd’s care for the people of God.
And so, on the eve of his Mass of Inauguration, we know that Pope Leo XIV will encourage us to live out our baptismal calling and work together to build on Pope Francis’ legacy, in particular his call to care for the poor and the earth, with his commitment to peace, missionary outreach to all and leadership through service.
Vicki Arnel from Kyabram tells us that on 10 December 2005, Fr Robert Prevost OSA was met at Tullamarine airport by Fr Dave Austin OSA, parish priest of Kyabram at the time. They then travelled to Bendigo, where the Augustinian story of the Sandhurst Diocese had begun with the appointment of Bishop Crane in 1874. After meeting Monsignor Frank Marriott, they drove to Rochester to visit St Joseph’s Church and view the stained-glass windows depicting Augustinian Saints. They then drove to Kyabram.
On Sunday 11 December Fr Robert celebrated Mass at St Augustine’s, Kyabram. Later that day they visited Echuca to see the church and the priory and, on Monday 12 December, joined Bishop Joe Grech and Sandhurst clergy at Monachino’s for lunch.
The Augustinians were pioneer priests in our Diocese and the first two bishops, Crane and Reville, were also Augustinians. As well as Kyabram, the Augustinians ministered in Echuca from 1886 to 2005 and in Rochester from 1889 to 1994.
